Taking on Mt. FUJI 100 | The 'Unwavering Way of Life' Seen in a Man Running 165km

Hello.
I am Ryuichi (Ryu) Mitsuya,
a life-redesign coach for the ice age generation
who never gives up on family or myself.

"Tomorrow at 5:00 PM, he will stand at the starting line."

This is a story about a classmate of mine who is a trail runner.

This article is recommended for people who:

・Want to live a life with a core.
・Are interested in trail running.
・Feel like they have lost sight of who they are.

Conclusion

People with a core are strong.
I am convinced of this.

What is trail running?

Let's start with the term "trail running."

In a nutshell, it is a "sport of running on mountain paths."

Marathons are run on asphalt roads.
But trail running is different.

Unpaved paths.
Tree roots, rocky areas, and muddy steep slopes.

You run in places like that.

It is close to the image of "running mountaineering."

I also do running.

My longest distance in terms of mileage
is a 100km ultramarathon.

In April and June of 2019,
I completed them for two consecutive months.

My longest distance as a trail runner
was the 48km course at the "Ninja Trail" race in Iga City, Mie Prefecture.

That was in November 2019.

With a cumulative elevation gain of 2,500 meters and a 10-hour time limit,
I ran through the mountains of the ninja village.

The exhilaration of running in the mountains is different from running on the road.

The pleasure of running through dappled sunlight.
The breathtaking views from the summit.
The softness of the soil is gentle on the legs and lower back.

The sense of fulfillment after finishing is also exceptional.

The World of Mt. FUJI 100

Among those trail running events,
the most famous race in Japan is the 'Mt. FUJI 100'.

The distance is 165 kilometers.
That is the distance of running a full marathon (42km) four times.

The cumulative elevation gain is 6,461 meters.
About 1.7 times the height of Mt. Fuji (3,776 meters).

This means you are climbing the equivalent of one and a half times the height of Mt. Fuji,
while continuing to run.

The time limit is 44 and a half hours.

Starting at 5:00 PM on Friday,
the time limit lasts until early Sunday afternoon.

You keep running through the night as well.

Your only light is your own headlamp.
Moving through the pitch-black mountains,
while feeling the presence of animals.

The course has a 'beginning, development, turn, and conclusion'.

The beginning is in the lush forests at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
The middle section passes through the Aokigahara Jukai forest.

The Jukai is often spoken of with a dark image,
but it is actually one of the most beautiful forests in the world.

In the latter half, a difficult section called 'Mt. Shakushi' appears.
At an altitude of 1,597 meters, it features a continuous steep climb where you have to scramble over rocks.

However, from those who have actually run it,
I heard this story.

'The toughest part was Mt. Shimoyama after that.'

Having run over 150 kilometers,
the body is near its limit.

Just when you are so close to the finish line,
another mountain appears.

That is what a true trial is.

Along the course, there are supply stations called aid stations.

When you come down in tatters, local people are waiting with warm udon and soup.

They say that the kindness you receive when you are at your limit is something you will never forget for the rest of your life.

The person standing at the starting line tomorrow is a high school classmate of mine.

I spoke with him the other day.
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Two years ago, he participated in the Mt. FUJI 100 for the first time.
The result was 120th place, with a time of about 30 hours.

Last year, he didn't get in through the lottery.
His determination for this year is stronger than anyone else's.

I was surprised when I heard about his training.

On Friday nights, when he finishes work, he heads to the Suzuka Mountains.
He traverses seven mountains and keeps running without sleep until the following evening.

It is "no-sleep training."

Why go that far?

He said this:

Because I am going through such suffering,
　Work is fine.
　My life is not at stake.

These words have not left my mind.

He is a company employee.
He keeps running just like that.

As those around him were becoming managers, he said this:

I think I am fine just the way I am.

I did not think these words came from anxiety.

It was the quiet affirmation of a person who has been able to articulate their own core.

Running is his foundation.
The mountains support his mental state for work.

He is not swayed by external evaluations.
He does not get impatient with the speed of others.

People with a core are strong.

Conclusion

Looking back,
when I didn't have a core,
it felt like I was standing on ground with no footing.

Every time something happened, I would wobble.
The anxiety never disappeared.

But now I can say it.

Who I am.
What I am moving for.

Once my core was decided,
I stopped wavering.

I don't think not having a core is a weakness.
It just means you haven't found it yet.

Re-choosing your life
starts with articulating your own core.

Can you say it?
Who you are.

Thank you for reading until the end.

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